Finding Leita

We found Leita early today! Leita used to have a house on Gabriola and Paul and I often stayed with her before we bought our property in the early 2000’s. When we built our outhouse, Leita donated two glass doors from her her guesthouse that was being demolished. So whenever anyone comes to Gabriola, you will have the joy of sitting on the outside toilet and looking out into the woods through those windows!

Leita lives in Goa during the Winter months and studies Tai Chi. She’s been waiting for us and was so excited to hear me calling her name through the streets near her villa. We spent the day wandering, drinking delicious coffee with Raj (aka Dylan) and talking on the beach.

Paul and I met with Bretzlov Jews who invited us for Kabbalat Shabbat and breaking bread for dinner. Ordinarily we would have helped to prepare the supper but…hey! We were really busy today! Yoga was at 4:00 and went to a breezy 5:45. It was actually a perfect transition into evening for me followed by chanting and dancing on the beach.

Our son, Jonathan, who spent time in India during his travelling days, says Goa is not really India, and in many ways he’s right. Most of the people who hang out here in Arombol are from other parts of the world. The Lonely Planet says that Arombol is a place where many of today’s hippies come to play and at the end of a fortnight they “shave off their beards and take off their tye dye once they’re back to the nine to five.”. It’s a beach. It’s Yoga practise. It’s music and lots of grown up fun. I’m feeling more and more like a grown up. I am feeling good…beginning to unwind.

There’s a scene on the beach at sunset. The sun is the guest of the party and everyone gathers to greet her and send her off for the evening. There’s drumming and chanting and dancing. The sun sets as the party continues into the darkness.

Right now life feels perfect. People are friendly, happy and engaging. The food is plentiful and delicious and very, very cheap. The 3 of us had a full 4 course Indian dinner tonight with lots of beer and it cost us $10.00.

The evening ended in a musical jam where Paul got to display his energy and talent. Many of the musicians were actually very good and we had a great time. I now, suppose jet lag is with me. Paul is asleep and I am energetic and raring to go.

I spoke briefly to Philip tonight in Toronto. I’m having a hard time getting my head around the idea of talking and seeing people more than half way around the world. And the 10½-hour time difference is mind-boggling. It reminds me about the incredible changes in our world and how it is getting harder and harder for me to keep up!